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Interactive Tools

Center for Healthy Living

The Center for Healthy Living at Holy Name Medical Center offers a wide range of activities designed to encourage people to achieve and maintain good health. Through classes, discussions, and support groups, the program alerts participants to the risks for developing serious illnesses, while helping people enjoy their everyday activities. Topics range from how to recognize the symptoms of heart attacks, strokes, and cancer to how to improve your sense of wellbeing by changing perspective, treasuring memories, feeling the benefits of laughing, and exercising the brain.

Events and services include:

Health maintenance lectures

Medical screenings

Wellness programs

Diabetes counseling and management

Health fairs

Support groups

School Programs

To find dates and times of these events, click on Calendar.

Speakers Bureau/Interactive Educational Classes

The Center for Healthy Living offers lectures and discussions on a range of topics designed to educate people on preventing illness and maintaining wellness. Health care experts, including physicians and advanced practice nurses, speak at private events created for organizations, churches and special groups. See the sample list and descriptions below of classes to choose from, or request a different topic. To arrange for a discussion or lecture, please contact Linda Lohsen, BSN, RN, Director of the Center at 201-833-3336, or email lohsen@holyname.org.

Diseases – Prevention, Symptoms, Coping

Breast Cancer - Are You at Risk?

Learn how to help reduce your risk for developing this disease, the most common form of cancer in women, with lifestyle changes and screening recommendations. Get educated on breast health, the importance of timely screenings, and the symptoms of breast cancer, a disease diagnosed in one out of eight women and ranked as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in females.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness

Everyone has heard that colorectal cancer screening saves lives. In fact, 60 percent of colon cancer-related deaths could be prevented if everyone aged 50 years and older were screened regularly. Learn about colon health and what tests should be performed on a routine basis.

Skin Cancer - Prevention and Screening Recommendations

It’s pretty much common knowledge that the sun may cause skin cancer and people should protect themselves from harmful UV rays. But do you know there are different types of skin cancer and what each looks like? Or that it may show up on areas not exposed to the sun? Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer but is often preventable. Each year 5 million people are treated for it in the U.S. and fair-skinned people are particularly at risk. Learn about the different types of skin cancer, how to help protect yourself, and what to look for during self-examinations.

A Woman's Heart

Although most people believe cancer causes more deaths than any other illness, heart disease actually kills more women in the U.S. every year. Many women don’t realize their symptoms may differ from those more commonly known, such as pain in the chest and arm. Instead, they may experience shortness of breath, chest pressure, vomiting, and jaw pain. Learn about the risk factors and symptoms for this disease and the lifestyle changes that can be made to help prevent developing cardiac disease.

Know Your Numbers for Heart Attack Risk

Do you ever wonder if you or a loved one is at risk for a heart attack? There are tests that measure risk factors for heart disease and indicate when changes in daily routines may lower those chances. Learn more about the screenings that measure controllable risk factors, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and BMI, and what type of lifestyle changes may help lower those risks.

Stroke - Act F.A.S.T.

A stroke, sometimes called a “brain attack,” is always a medical emergency. It occurs when blood flowing to the brain is blocked or sudden bleeding in the brain damages brain cells. Immediate treatment can protect the brain and enhance the chances for a successful recovery. Learn about strokes and a simple tool, known as F.A.S.T., to help recognize when someone is having a stroke and to remind you to call for help immediately.

Antibiotics: Friend or Foe?

Antibiotics are vital in treating a myriad of illnesses. But their overuse – when people take them for viruses or other sicknesses that don’t respond to them – has led to the emergence of drug resistant superbugs. The excessive use can also wipe out the body’s good bacteria. These conditions can then lead to diseases that are difficult to treat, and may become life-threatening. Learn about the good and bad of antibiotics and what you can do to protect yourself.

Immunizations: You Never Outgrow the Need!

Vaccines are not just "kid stuff." Did you know that immunity from certain diseases can wane over time, leaving adults vulnerable to such illnesses as whooping cough, pneumonia and shingles? Learn what immunizations or boosters are recommended for adults to protect you and your loved ones, especially those who are immune-compromised or too young to be fully immunized.

Advance Directives

Are you comfortable with your loved ones making decisions about your health care if you are unable to do so? Though most people don’t want to think about a time when they may not be able to communicate their wishes concerning medical care, it is much better to address the issue while they are healthy and coherent. Find out what an advance directive is and how to talk to your loved ones about it.

Fun and Well-Being

Chocolate: Divine Food, Fattening Junk or Nutritious Treat?

Originally known as Theobroma cacao (food of the gods), chocolate has a history dating back to ancient civilizations. Enjoy a casual look at the history of this favorite food and learn about the current teachings of chocolate’s potential health benefits.

Coffee, Tea and You

Ninety percent of Americans consume caffeine every day, making it America's most popular stimulant, by far. But how much caffeine is in your favorite beverage, and, aside from the pick-me-up aspect, how does it affect you? Learn how much caffeine is in different beverages, how to reduce your intake and how this stimulant works in the body.

Complaint-Free Living

Have you ever noticed that the more you complain, the worse you feel? That’s because the constant focus on negative things in life makes them bigger, more overwhelming. If you stop and really think about what you’re saying, you’ll notice a shift in thought, and a more positive outlook will begin to form. By changing your thoughts, ultimately, you can reshape your life. Move from being a complainer to an optimist.

How Happy Are You?

Do you go through your days feeling like you’re just getting by and waiting to be happy? Studies show the happiest people are those who feel their lives have meaning. Everyone, regardless of circumstances, can live a more meaningful life. Find out how discovering and applying your best qualities to your daily routine can lead to a more fulfilling life.

Reminiscing

Reminiscing, when you recall people and events from the past, can be one of life’s greatest simple pleasures. Conducting this “life review” can increase your personal sense of identity and meaning. Take a trip down memory lane and learn how reminiscing can be good for your health.

Taking a Vacation from Stress

While relaxing vacations on a pristine ski slope or tranquil island may help to reduce stress, the effects only last so long. It is important to find ways to diminish stress in everyday life. Although some stress is necessary and may even be good for you, unremitting stress can have detrimental effects on almost all body systems. Learn simple things to do to refresh your mind and relax.

The Medicine of Laughter

Laughter not only feels good, it is physically beneficial. It causes us to produce hormones that elevate mood and promote healing, which often helps get us through tough times and find more joy in life. Come share a few laughs and learn how this basic human function can help you.

The Road to Wellness

Maintaining good health is no longer just about staving off disease. Clinicians, as well as individuals, are becoming just as focused on wellness as they are on treating diseases and caring for the sick. Remaining healthy requires active participation, from eating the right foods to exercising and getting enough sleep. Learn how to maximize your health through simple lifestyle changes and how to improve your relationship with your health care professional.

Are You Getting Your Zzzzzz's?

A good night's sleep is essential to your health and well-being. But many of us can’t remember the last time we slept through the night. Consistent sleep disturbances can cause more than just fatigue, including serious health issues. And some of the disturbances themselves, such as sleep apnea, may have health consequences. Learn the symptoms and causes of sleep interruptions and how to develop good sleep habits.

Brain Fitness

We all know how important physical exercise is for the body, but do you know the mind needs to be kept fit also? Some studies have shown that brain stimulation – crossword puzzles, brain teasers, Sudoku, memory games and more – may help to improve normally functioning brains and prevent cognitive decline. Find out how to engage your brain in “exercises” during your daily routine and have some fun with brain teasers.

Prevention of Food-Borne Illnesses

The United States has one of the safest food supplies in the world, yet more than 48 million cases of food-borne illnesses are reported annually. The young, elderly and immune-compromised are most at risk, yet everyone is susceptible. Learn about food-borne organisms that can cause disease and the wide range of illnesses they trigger.